Monday, September 29, 2014

Oh my goodness, this week was CRAZY! I am such a hot sweaty mess. Literally. I don't know where anything is in Limerick!!! I have only been in Limerick for 6 weeks, but for about 3 of those weeks we were indoors due to illnesses. I couldn't remember where the place was to email so we were running all around with our heavy grocery bag. The great thing about getting lost is that it will never happen again! hahaha! I travelled all day Tuesday and on Wednesday at 4 am we took a plane from Dublin to Edinburgh! We didn't get back to Limerick until 10:30ish on Thursday evening. I am training Sister Montoya. She is 19 years old and from Mexico City. She is the cutest thing! :) It has been hard. There is a bit of a language barrier. She knows English, but communication is sometimes difficult. I am been turning to the Lord a lot for strength and help and guidance... then today she told me she is grateful for the way I give correction because I do it in a firm but loving way. That meant so much to me because that is exactly what I have been praying to have help to do... as much correctionis needed for new missionaries. Guess what! A recent convert from here named Viviane is going to visit Mesa in November! She will be visiting the Mesa temple!!!!!! :D

I am doing well. Stressed, but that's mission life :) I am learning to try to not be soooo stressed. Everything happenes the way the Lord needs it to. :)

I am still in Limerick so all addresses are still the same. :) It really does seem like I was just trained! Sometimes I wonder if I really am the one for this job.. Haha!

We will not be seeing the broadcast untilSaturday... I can't wait to see it though!

I recently heard that a temple in Phoenix is opening! That is incredible! If we get enough priesthood holders in the Limerick branch then it can become a ward and Ireland can request a temple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayers are answered if we have the faith and willing to take the action. A reoccuring theme of the week for me has been "faith without works is dead".

Monday, September 22, 2014

I am doing so well. I am going to be training a new missionary. I won't find out who she is yet though. The process is we go to the mission home and get interviewed. The new missionaries come. We all climb Pratt's Hill. President interviews the new missionaries. Then he prays to see who should be together. AND then we know who we will be with! I am so excited! I just know that this is what I have been prepared for! :) Hopefully I can train this girl right...

Monday, September 1, 2014

On Monday (August 25) we had Zone Development. It was hard because I didn't know ANY of the missionaries and it really made me miss my friends in Glasgow. But it was a good time. We played football (soccer), rugby, and Frisbee. :) I am no good at any of those things. But that is alright. :)

Tuesday (August 26) we did our emailing (One of my companions found out that her mother is going through hip surgery for her 3rd time, and her life is at risk), and got a new investigator. His name is John. He is a very spiritual man and was very interesting in the Book of Mormon. We taught him outside which is a little distracting, but the lesson went alright. Later that night we taught a woman named Bernie. Bernie told us she knows the church is true and is ready to be baptized. We scheduled for her to be baptized on September 13th! It was very exciting!!!! Bernie has been an investigator for a few months now and it has been amazing to see the change in her as she has come to recognize the church is true. During the lesson President Brown called 3 times. I had to answer the third time and tell him we would call back later. When we called back after the lesson he told one of my companions to pack her bags and that she was going home again on Friday. It was very shocking for the three of us and just didn't feel right. There were a lot of tears shed that evening and not much sleeping done.

Wednesday (August 27) we went to a members home to Skype with our investigator Eadaoin (Aideen) since she lives so far away. We taught the Plan of Salvation. It was a pretty good lesson. We went to a part member family in the evening and found the wife (who isn't a member) in. She invited us in. The whole way to the house I was praying in my heart that she would have food even if it were biscuits for us because it was half 7 and we hadn't had lunch or dinner hours. When we got there she offered us biscuits!!! My prayers were answered. It just proved, yet again, that the Lord cares for the small things too. I shared 3 Nephi 13:32-33 with her and bore my testimony on how the Lord knows the wants and wishes in our hearts, but we will not receive ALL that we want unless we turn to Him. We had coordination after that. When we got home after coordination we called President and asked if he would consider letting my companion stay.

(***HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HEATHER!***) Thursday (August 28) we were stuck indoors doing Weekly Planning until 1 then walked to meet a member for lunch. On the way over I talked to my companion about how she WANTS to stay, but she needs to show that she will work hard to stay, not say she would work hard if she stays. It was a good talk. She changed her attitude and was more talkative and determined. Around half 4 President called saying that she could stay. Then we went and Skyped Aideen at the Stake President Falloon's home.

Friday (August 29) was a very good day. The Zone Leaders (Elder Merrill and Elder Henrie) picked us up and took us to their investigators (Vivian) home so we could all help her in her garden. It was a lot of fun. I have decided, after being companions with Sister Cannon, that I would like to garden when I get home. :)

Saturday (August 30) Vivian set up an appointment for us to go to her friends home to teach her friend Aderli and her children Karen and Hugo. They are from Brazil and don't speak very much English. The mother, Aderli, was not home. I had so much fun teaching Karen (age:19) and Hugo (age 22 on Sept. 1)! You really learn how simple the gospel is when you teach to people who speak little English or to small children. Karen and Hugo had many good questions. I like them and consider them my friends already. I am excited to continue to teach them!

SUNDAY (August 31) I RECEIVED THE BEST SURPRISE EVER!!!! I was standing in the church building talking to Elder Johnson and I glance over and think to myself "Oh hey, there's McCleary!" Then I proceed to talk to Elder Johnson when it hits!! OH MY GOSH! THERE IS MCCLEARY! I look over and my best friend from Dublin McCleary is standing there! She came to Limerick to surprise me for my birthday and boy it was a surprise! The whole rest of the day I was convinced that I was dreaming!! She stayed for all of church, and then afterwards there was a munch and mingle. I don't think it could have been planned ANY differently!!! She even stayed long enough to come teaching lessons with us. I just love McCleary! She is always there for me! Especially right when I need her! It was amazing to see her again! :)

Then, today is Monday (September 1st aka the best day ever! ;)) my birthday. Thank you everyone for your emails and birthday wishes! I love you all!!! :)

I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and your love. I pray for you and hope you are doing well. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

About Me

My name is Kelsey. I am crazy and awkward. I love to have fun, and be around people. I am currently preparing to serve a mission for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) for 18 months in Scotland/Ireland. I am a people person. I am going to school studying elementary education. I would love to be a kindergarten teacher one day! I love blue, pink, and purple... and anything sparkly! I am not very good with technology so this may be the worst blog EVER! But I want people to know my story! I will be 100% honest... I do not have the most exciting life ever. But I have said goodbye to a boy whom I dated and who is my best friend. He is serving in the Baton Rouge Louisiana mission for two years. I have said goodbye to many friends leaving on missions. I will say goodbye to many friends and family when I leave on my mission. Life may have hard times, but with every trial comes blessings. "Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means that you'e decided to look beyond your imperfections." I believe happiness is the key to having an amazing life. Haha, okay, rant over. That's me... :)